San Jose considers restricting liquor licenses

SAN JOSE, Calif. 
Buying a bottle of wine or six-pack of beer could get tougher for residents of San Jose.

The San Jose Mercury News reports (
http://bit.ly/o7AURW
) the city council is considering a proposal that would restrict new liquor licenses to grocery stores and other "full service markets." Convenience, drug and liquor stores would no longer be able to get them.

San Jose officials say placing limits on liquor licenses would give grocery stores an incentive to locate in neighborhoods that don't have grocers or large retailers.

But Councilman Pete Constant says the proposal is a form of social engineering that could hurt the city's efforts to attract new businesses.

The city council is expected to vote on the proposal this fall as part of an update to the city's general plan.